Hawaii's shortage of specialty doctors is growing, especially affecting the neighbor islands.

Three Big Island orthopedic surgeons are joining the long list of doctors leaving Hawaii, citing low insurance reimbursements and failed medical tort reform efforts that keep the cost of doing business to high.

After more than 20 years in practice on the Big Island, Dr. John Bellatti is calling it quits there. He's not the only one. he and dr. Doug hiller will end their hawaii orthopedic practices. Kona's only other orthopedic surgeon is leaving for an extended fellowship.

"There will be 4,000 patients that visited one of our offices last year and in the next year, where will they go?" Bellatti said.

Out of two such surgeons in Hilo, one is frequently deployed, the other doesn't do hospitals.

"Many patients would have to be air ambulanced over the Kauai, Maui or Oahu to get routine care,” Bellatti said. “Think of a child with a broken wrist having to travel with her mother after current airfares. That’s going to be very expensive."

The problem is statewide and across specialties. On Maui, only one private practice physician delivers babies. After November, on Oahu's North Shore, there will be no physicians delivering.

“It’s a crisis situation, and if they don't get these doctors replaced, where are they going to get help and care?" said Peter Crackle, a windward Oahu resident who is part of a patients group called “Save Our Doctors.”

On windward Oahu, it's estimated that nearly 70 percent of the community's primary care needs are unmet -- a problem felt acutely by windward orthopedic surgeon Dr. Linda Rasmussen, who is also trying to help ease the neighbor island backlog.

"I had a surgery on just a simple knee scope from the Big Island from Eaimea, which puts you in a rough situation follow-up," Rasmussen said. “She said she’d just take out her own stitches back in Waimea.”
They say it's a problem everyone statewide should worry about, not just if you live or have loved ones on a neighbor island or in a rural area.
"The more people flying over here form the outer islands is going to create a backlog for the doctors,” Crackle said, “and that's going to add to the length of time to see the doctors."

The group "Save Our Doctors" has made endorsements for political office of candidates they think can help turn the tide with efforts like tort reform:
2009 “Save Our Doctors” Endorsements

It states their names, district and Party Affiliation

Senate

Josh Green 3 – North and South Kohala, North and South Kona D

Richard Fale 23 – Kahaluu, Laie, Kaaawa, Kaneohe R

Ted Hong 1 – Hilo, Honoka’a, Laupahoehoe, Hamakua, Waiakea Uka, Keaukaha, Waimea R

Jan Shields 5 – South and West Maui, Kapalua, Ka’anapali, Lahaina, Ma’alaea, Kihei, Wailea, Makena R


House of Representatives


Joe Bertram III* 11 – Makena, Wailea, Kihei D

Fred Blas 4 – Puna, Pahoa, Hawaiian Acres, Kalapana R

Rida Cabanilla Arakawa* 42 – Waipahu, Honouliuli, West Loch, Ewa D
Jerry Chang* 2 – South Hilo, Waiakea Kai, Kaumana, Keaukaha D

Corrine Ching* 27 – Nuuanu, Puunui, Liliha, Alewa Heights R

Derek Gapol 45 – Waianae, Makaha, Makua R

Robert Herkes* 5 – Puna, Ka’u, South Kona, North Kona D

Jerilyn Jeffryes 24 – Manoa, Manoa Valley, University D

Quentin Kawananakoa 51 – Lanikai, Waimanalo R

Barbara Marumoto* 19 – Waialae Iki, Kalani Valley, Waialae Nui, Diamond Head, Kahala R

Angus McKelvey* 10 – Lahaina, Kaanapali, Kapalua, Maalaea, Kihei D

Colleen Meyer* 47 – Laie, Hauula, Punaluu, Kahana, Kaaawa, Waikane, Kahaluu, Ahuimanu, Kaneohe R

John Mizuno* 30 – Kamehameha Heights, Kalihi Valley, Fort Shafter D

Steven Offenbaker 1 – North Kohala, South Kohala, Hamakua, North Hilo, South Hilo R

Kymberly Pine* 43 – Ewa Beach, Iroquois Point, Puuloa R

Andy Smith 6 – North Kona, Keauhou, Kailua-Kona, Honokohau R

Joe Souki* 8 – Wailuku, Waihee, Waiehu, Puuohala, Waikapu D

Gene Ward* 17 – Kalama Valley, Queen’s Gate, Hawaii Kai R

* Incumbent